Police in Kaduna deny alleged killing of 30, abducting 100 persons

The Kaduna State Police Command has urged members of the public to discountenance reports that 30 people were killed and 100 abducted, insisting that all purported crime incidents should be verified before publication.

It made this known in a statement issued by its Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Yakubu Abubakar Sabo.

“The attention of the Kaduna State Police Command has been drawn to a story on Social Media captioned, “Bandit Attack: Buhari sympathises with Emir, but keeps mum on 30 People Killed, 100 Kidnapped,” and referring to the incident of January 14, 2020 on the Kaduna- Zaria Road.

“The Command wishes to state that it holds sanctity of human life in high esteem and cannot underestimate such value. It, therefore, strongly debunks the story as false and misrepresentation of facts aimed at causing panic and enjoins members of the public to disregard the report as misleading.

“It will be recalled that on January 14, 2020 when the sad incident occurred, the command issued a statement confirming the death of six persons, while five others who sustained varying degrees of injuries were taken to hospital for treatment,” it said.

In the statement titled, “Re: Bandits Attack: 30 People Killed-100 Kidnapped,” the Police said in an update that one of the five persons who was receiving treatment later died in the hospital, which increased the toll to seven, while four persons are being treated.

“Of the number of the deceased victims, Shehu Wakama 62; Sulaiman Ba’amalum 60; Maina Kaina 60; Adamu Lawal 32; Danjuma Adamu 35; Adamu Musa and one other were identified.

“While the injured persons in the incident are, Sgt Mohammed Tanko; Philiha David; Ismail Yau and Umar Maiwada,” it stated, pointing out that on the number of persons abducted, investigation was still ongoing to ascertain the exact figure.

“However, only six families have so far contacted the Command to report the involvement of their relations. Thus, while regretting the unfortunate incident, the command still maintains the casualty figure as accurate until more facts prove the contrary.

“Consequently, the command wishes to warn members of the public who share messages relating to security from unverifiable sources to desist, as it would not hesitate to deal decisively with any person or group of persons who engage in such publications,” it added.